BOMBAY: All pirated prints of films on video would henceforth be “legalized” in India against a payment of Rs 25 per cassette by the holder to the United Video Association of India (UVAI). The later in turn, would issue a copyright coverage license, a copy of censor certificate and a spine (for the cassette) to legitimize its use.
The revolutionary scheme has been introduced by the UVAI in what seems to be a virtual acknowledgement of the fact that video piracy cannot be eliminated by law enforcement agencies. As the rights holders of 95 percent of the films in circulation in the Indian video market, the members of UVAI feel that this “legislation scheme” would not go against the interests of the government and secondly it is time such revolutionary steps are taken because no video library in the country is without pirated cassettes of some film or the other.
According to a survey conducted by the association, most library owners of video cassettes have responded favorably to the new scheme and are prepared to pay Rs 25 for each of the pirated cassettes in their possession.
The UVAI has also sought the assistance of the government in conducting more and more raids and confiscating illegal cassettes in the possession of video libraries and retailers. In this manner, it hopes to eventually wipe out the scourge of video piracy from the Indian film industry.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 2, 1990
